and with (again) promises to self to keep better records as the year goes by. Our tax appointment was yesterday afternoon. I love it when we can take totals of all our deductions and our CPA goes through what papers we do take with us (w-2, house interest, property taxes, etc) and he inputs the totals of it all and viola! within fifteen minutes we have what we owe and what we get back. Our cost for this service has gone up since his grandfather, who did our taxes for free, but it is still worth it. Hubby and I went back and forth before we left the house; he was concerned about a couple of totals and I kept telling him that we have receipts to back it up. If we ever get audited, we're good. Finally it sunk in what I was saying and he may have mulled it over (and over) after I walked out of the room.... but I can take only so much fear mongering and I'm done. If I have receipts and I'm honest with what I'm claiming, then it is all in God's hands! And God once again answered my prayer. "Please let us break even." Enough back from State to pay for Federal. Done and done.
And we both are already talking about keeping better track of things this year rather than just throwing into a folder any receipts. It appears we both started last year - he said he kept track through March; I kept a spreadsheet until April. I think I need to put it on my calendar to update expenses every week, or at least every month. It sure would make things easier. I write notes in my calendar of appointments, expenses, donations, etc. so I go through my calendar, my bank account, my credit cards, and all my receipts and all my notes.... and then I am pretty sure I have everything. But I know that I missed some. Oh well. It's all on me. Either keep better records on mileage and expenses or deal with struggling to put it all together once a year.
So glad it's Friday. I've noticed the past few weeks come Thursday evening I am exhausted. True, part of it can be age. Part of it can be the stress of my work. Part of it is just life. And that's why I work out and try to eat better, to get past all this tiredness and stay strong. I'm wanting to do a workout here at home as well at the gym. I just need to get over myself and my self-consciousness of hubby KNOWING I'm working out and then asking me all kinds of questions. Or just watching. But he would have to turn in his chair to see me, so maybe I can get in a half hour at least with the weights. I do want to get a couple 20 lb barbells. Hubby got me a 17-pound kettlebell weight last Christmas and I do use it for squats. It's easier to hold than the barbells. My trainer, who has been making me do stationary lunges for the last month has already 'threatened' me that he is going to have me do 'walking lunges' now. That means I have barbells in each hand, take a step, and go down on one knee, keeping the other knee at a 90-degree angle. It is tough. I'm hoping to get some practice here at home. I know I can build my strength, and I want to. I enjoy working out. I just don't want any questions about what I do or whatever. I'm not sure why that is a problem for me... I think I know... and it probably goes back 40 years ago. Or less. But regardless, it's all on me.
Like I said, I do enjoy working out, but unfortunately, I also enjoy eating. But I've been doing better and eating better. Only one piece of chocolate yesterday during a stressful period. Or was it an annoying period. Regardless, only ate one piece of chocolate. Last night, after we got the taxes completed, we did stop at Red Robin; I had received a gift card for Christmas and hadn't used it yet. We both got salads. I really wanted French fries. You know, the bottomless kind? But, we both resisted and got salads. I forget where we were, but I had a bad hamburger somewhere recently, so my desire for a good hamburger has kind of waned. It wasn't bad meat; it just had no taste. And there is nothing like eating a hamburger that has no taste to it. Right?
Hubby is starting to rush around to get ready for his Bible study this morning. That means I'll have a couple hours of quiet with no interruptions. But, when he returns, he will come in here, sit down in this chair, and tell me about the study, about the conversations the guys had, and what his day looks like. I patiently sit in my desk chair and listen. These weekly meetings for him are so vital to his well-being. Our trainer and I chat a lot as I work out and he told me Wednesday that hubby teared up while talking with him. When I looked at him questioning, he said that hubby noticed that our trainer was preoccupied in thought and was quiet.... and thought that our trainer was mad at him about something. That's what he asked our trainer - 'are you mad at me?' Hubby is becoming so overly sensitive about things. I realized that hubby is so desperate for people to like him. So desperate for people to make him feel valued. So desperate to be wanted and included. No wonder I'm exhausted by the end of the week - it's like having another child. And at my age.... just saying. LOL He's so afraid of the process of getting older and giving up some things that he should give up. I get that. As we get older we tend to hold on to things because we think we can still do them the way we always have. And I imagine I will be the same way. I always pray that God will help me have a clear and focused mind as I age. The body can fail me, but keep my mind alive.
I Timothy 5:1-2 (NKJV): Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.
Regardless of how we feel or what we think about our older generation (myself included in this), treat all with respect and build them up, for their time is short. Speak respectfully, correct gently, and love unendingly. Many times all we 'old folks' want is respect and love. When we sin, correct us, but be clear, and be gentle. Sometimes it takes us a little while to get past our pride of being 'reprimanded' and hear what you have to say. Show us by example of how we are to live, just as we show you.
Most of us will get older. When our time comes and our life ends, let there be no regrets. Love others as you want to be loved.
Blessings!
